Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Syracuse, NY (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

St. Louis is 12% more expensive than Syracuse.

$978/mo ↓ 2%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↑ 2%
$55,279/yr ↑ 21%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 17%
$185,100 ↑ 48%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 32%
$1,013/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 3%
293,109
Population
146,211

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
10.9%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $9,434/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making St. Louis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Syracuse — common questions

Is St. Louis or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Syracuse?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $20/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Syracuse?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $9,434/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and New York?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Syracuse has a cost index of 59 with rent of $998/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Syracuse details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Syracuse

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